Candied apple package



Feb. 25, 1964 e. L. SMITH 3,122,441

CANDIED APPLE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I

INVENTOR. GEORGE LESLIE SMITH Feb. 25, 1964 sMlTH 3,122,441

CANDIED APPLE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.GEORGE LESLIE SMITH Attorneys United States Patent lliinois Filed Jan.3, 1962, 591. No. 164,709 2 Claims. or. 99 1s0 This invention relates topackaging and more particularly to compartmented packages for foodstuffand the like.

In packaging certain foodstuii it is desirable to combine attractivedisplay appearance for sales apepal with sanitation and protection ofthe contained foodstuff from contamination. The present inventionsatisfies these requirements and has particular utility for packaging ofcandy coated apples, i.e. taffy apples or apples on a stick, etc. Sucharticles usually consist of an apple entirely covered with a layer ofcandy, sometimes including a comrninuted confection, nut meats, etc.,covering over the layer of candy, and the apple being impaled on astick.

Accordingly one object or" this invention is to provide improvedpackaging; which packaging is of the multicompartmented type andparticularly adapted for attractive, yet sanitary packaging offoodstufis and the like. It is another object of the invention toprovide a compartmented, fully visible content package for maintainingthe contents thereof clean and essentially sanitary; and which packagealso permits breathing in response to temperature and humidity changesto maintain the apples intact, protected and attractive.

It is still another object of the invention to provide improved,relatively inexpensive and easily manufactured packaging of thecompartmented type.

The laws of some states will not permit the sale of candy (the categoryin which candied apples are classified) if any edible portion thereofextends beyond the confines of the package. Due to the manner of candycoating stick mounted apples by dipping them in a bath of candysubstance, a quantity of the candy material builds up on the stick.Accordingly it is another object of this invention to provide acompartment package for foodstuff having particular utility in thepackaging of a plurality of candied apples or the like, and whichpackages completely confine the edible portions or" the products in asanitary manner.

In the packaging or" candied apples there is the additional problem ofpreventing contact between such products and the internal surfaces ofthe package which results in damage on removal thereof. Thus, it isstill another object of this invention to provide a package for candiedapples or the like which is arranged to entirely encompass and confineall edible portions within the package, to maintain them substantiallystationary out of substantial contact with the package, and therebymaintain the apples intact even during handling and shipment.

And it is yet another object of this invention to provide a fullyvisible content package for foodstuiis arranged for attractive counterdisplay.

Briefly, in one embodiment, a package according to the concepts of thisinvention is comprised of a one-piece, transparent, self-sustainingplastic member formed into two essentially mirror image halves joinedtogether by a narrow land of plastic. A fold line is formed in to landand includes a displaced portion which produces a slightly oif centerprojection when the halves are folded together whereby the completedpackage tends to tilt when resting on a surface. A plurality of opposed,substantially hemispherical indentations are formed on each half whichconjointly form in face-to-face relation a plurality of side-bysidespheroidal cavities.

The halves are so formed as to provide an opening of 3,122,441 PatentedFeb. 25, 1954 substantial cross section between adjacent cavities for afree flow of air therebetween. Each of the hemispherical indentationsinclude a wide embossed portion which provides reeuiorcing for eachcavity and which is arranged to cooperate with an object placed thereinto prevent accidental displacement or movement. Extending from the topof each of the hemispherical portions is an outwardly converging grooveterminating in a generally half cylindrical passage. Opposed pairs ofthese grooves and cylindrical halt" passages form a generally truncatedconical passage from the spherical cavity, terminating in a constrictedcylindrical passage. The two halves are joined by a plurality of spacedspot welds which provide a relatively rugged structure with spacespermitting the package to breathe under changing conditions oftemperature and humidity. A suitable handle is attached across the topfor carrying the package.

Other objects and further features and advantages of packaging accordingto the concepts of this invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from a study of the following detailed drawing description inwhich like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theseveral views. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to this inventionhaving a plurality of candy apples contained therein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the package of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a side edge elevation of the open package arrangement of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an end edge elevation of the open package arrangement of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a closed package according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is an end edge elevation of the closed package arrangement ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line '77 of thearrangement of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a section view through the package of FIG. 1 showing a candiedapple in place therein.

A package according to this invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ascomprised of a one-piece, transparent, self-sustaining plastic member 10formed essentially in two mirror image halves 11 and 12 joined togetherby a narrow land of plastic 13. There is an elongated, dis placedportion or embossed groove 14 in the land slightly to one side of thelongitudinal bisector thereof. The embossed groove 14 is shown in theedge view in FIG. 4 and will be discussed in more detail hereafter.

A plurality of generally hemispherical indentations, shown in general bynumber 15, are formed in each half. Opposed pairs of the indentations 15are arranged to register in facing relation producing a plurality ofspheroidal cavities for containing a plurality of substantiallyspherical objects. Preferably, the bottom of each indentation issomewhat flattened as at 15a. Each cavity also includes a rounded upperportion 15b and a truncated conical lower portion interconnected by theembossed portion 16. The embossed portion 16 is formed about each of thehemispherical cavities, substantially perpendicular to the central axisthereof. The embossed plastic portions 16 serve as reenforcing for eachcavity as well as providing an arrangement to assist in maintaining acontained candied apple or the like, in a substantially stationaryposition as shall be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

There is an outwardly converging displaced portion or groove 17 openingfrom the top of each cavity which terminates in a constricted generallyhalf cylindrical displaced portion 18. Opposed pairs of displacedportions 18 frictionally engage and secure a stick 19 extending from acandied apple. Opposed pairs of outwardly converging grooves 17 togetherform a truncated conical passage to enclose any candy on the stickbeyond tie apple. Windows 20 are formed in the opposed halves 11 and 12which may be imprinted with advertising legends, trade names or thelike. T seal the two halves together with their contained goods, shownin FIG. 1, a plurality of spot welds 21 are added after placing theapples in the package and the two halves closed. The separated weldsleave spaces or openings to allow breathing of the package.

The hemispherical portions are so formed as to provide an opening 22 ofsubstantial extent between adjacent compartments, thereby allowing freepassage of air through the compartments and around the contents. Alaterally displaced portion at 23 smoothly connects adjacenthemispherical depressions 15 which, together with an opposed displacedportion 23 on the other half form the opening 22.

The preferred plastic material for construction of a package accordingto the invention must be inert to the food material contained therein,must be odorless and must otherwise be fit for housing food destined foreventual human consumption. A candied apple is shown in FIG. 8 as itmight be in place in one of the spherical chambers. The constrictedcylindrical passage 18 serves to firmly grip the stick 1 while'thetruncated conical portion 17 completely encompasses the candy 3tl'whichbuilds up on the stick above the apple'31. This truncated conicalconfiguration is necessary because of the build up of candy on the stickand is generally of the shape shown. conventionally, an apple isplaced'in a paper cup 32, and the apple and cup are packaged within eachspherical chamber. The depression 16 not only serves as a reenforcingfor the respective chambers as discussed above, but also cooperates withthe upper peripherial edge 33 of the cup to prevent upward and downwardmovement and this together with the gripping of the stick by thecylindrical passage 18 prevents relative movement of the apple withinthe package. This is particularly important when the apple does not havea coating on the candy, such as comminuted nut meats 34. If the appleswere allowed to move freely inside the package, the candy would stick tothe inside of the'package.

FIG. 8 more clearly shows the cooperation between a supporting surface35 and the elongated fold ridge 14. By placing the depression off thecenter, the package tilts when placed on a surface. The perpendicular isgenerally indicated by dotted line at 36 in FIG. 8. This arrangementtends to better display the package on a shelf.

Preferably some manner of carrying handle is attached to the package. InFIG. 1 a U-shaped paper handle 40 is shown attached by a pair of staples41 along the upper edge of the container. The handle illustrated is adouble ply with one part of each end on either side of the package,however, a single ply handle may be used as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention in detail with sufficientparticularity as to enable those skilled in the art to practice it, whatI desire to have protected by Letters Patent'is set forth in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A compartmented, fully visible content package of candied apples on astick for maintaining the contents thereof clean and essentiallysanitary and also permitting breathing of the package resulting fromtemperature and humidity changes comprising a one-piece, transparent,self-sustaining plastic member formed into two essentially mirror imagehalves joined together by a narrow land of the plastic, there being anelongated displaced portion in the land between halves forming a foldline for the members off the center of said land, there being apillrality of opposed, substantially hemispherical indentations in eachsaid half conjointly forming when in facing relation a generallyspherical cavity forming a cover enclosing a plurality of candiedapples, the hemispherical indentations being formed so as to provide anopening of substantial cross sectional dimensions between adjacentenclosed candied apples, there being an outwardly converging groove atthe top of each said' hemispherical indentation and ending'adiacent theedge of the half in a half-cylindrical groove so as to form Withitsopposing groove and half-cylindrical groove a truncated corneal passagefrom each said cavity ending in a cylindrical. passage to encompasscandy build-up on the stick and form a constricted opening tofrictionally grip the out-.

wardly extendingstick, means for securing said halves together at spacedintervals while maintaining breathing row land of plastic extendingtherebetween, there being an elongated embossed groove in the landbetween the halves forming a fold line at one side of the center line ofthe land, there being a plurality of opposed substantially hemisphericalindentations having flattened bottoms in each half conjointly formingwith its opposite when in facing relation a plurality of fiat bottomedsubstantiaily spherical cavities forming separate compartments enclosinga plurality of candied apples on a stick, the hemispherical indentationsbeing formed so as to provide an opening between adjacent enclosedapples, th re be ing at' least one outwardly displaced plasticportion'extending a substantial distance across each hemisphericalportion forming a stifiening member and an inwardly. facing groove andarranged to cooperate'with a cup in which the apple is placed to preventrelative movement thereof, there being an outwardly convergingigroove atthe top of each said hemispherical indentation andend ing adjacent theedge of the half in a constricted portion so as to form with itsopposing groove and constriction a truncated conical passage toencompass candy buildup on the apple stick and a constricted openingarranged to frictionally grip the outwardly extending apple stickab'oveithe candy buildup, a plurality of spaced welds joining said halvestogether while leaving breathing spaces therebetween, and handle meanssecured to said package for carrying the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,733,219 Duvall Oct. 29, 1929 2,166,568 Kuhlke July 18, 1939 2,437,072Campbell Mar. 2, 1948 2,549,513 Nicolle Apr. 17, 1951 2,578,445 NicolleDec. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS I 1,210,694 rance Oct. 5, 1959 604,987Canada Sept. 13, 1960

1. A COMPARTMENTED, FULLY VISIBLE CONTENT PACKAGE OF CANDID APPLES ON ASTICK FOR MAINTAINING THE CONTENTS THEREOF CLEAN AND ESSENTIALLYSANITARY AND ALSO PERMITTING BREATHING OF THE PACKAGE RESULTING FROMTEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CHANGES COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE, TRANSPARENT,SELF-SUSTAINING PLASTIC MEMBER FORMED INTO TWO ESSENTIALLY MIRROR IMAGEHALVES JOINED TOGETHER BY A NARRW LAND OF THE PLASTIC, THERE BEING ANELONGATED DISPLACED PORTION IN THE LAND BETWEEN HALVES FORMING A FOLDLINE FOR THE MEMBERS OFF THE CENTER OF SAID LAND, THERE BEING APLURALITY OF OPPOSED, SUBSTANTIALLY HEMISPHERICAL INDENTATIONS IN EACHSAID HALF CONJOINTLY FORMING WHEN IN FACING RELATION A GENERALLYSPHERICAL CAVITY FORMING A COVER ENCLOSING A PLURALITY OF CANDIEDAPPLES, THE HEMISPHERICAL INDENTATIONS BEING FORMED SO AS TO PROVIDE ANOPENING OF SUBSTANTIAL CROSS SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS BETWEEN ADJACENTENCLOSED CANDIED APPLES, THERE BEING AN OUTWARDLY CONVERGING GROOVE ATTHE TOP OF EACH SAID HEMISPHERICAL INDENTATION AND ENDING ADJACENT THEEDGE OF THE HALF IN A HALF-CYLINDRICAL GROOVE SO AS TO FORM WITH ITSOPPOSING GROOVE AND HALF-CYLINDRICAL GROOVE A TRUNCATED CONICAL PASSAGEFROM EACH SAID CAVITY ENDING IN A CYLINDRICAL PASSAGE TO ENCOMPASS CANDYBUILD-UP ON THE STICK AND FORM A CONSTRICTED OPENING TO FRICTIONALLYGRIP THE OUTWARDLY EXTENDING STICK, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID HALVESTOGETHER AT SPACED INTERVALS WHILE MAINTAININGD BREATHING SPACESTHEREBETWEEN, SAID NARROW LAND PERMITTING SAID PACKAGE TO STAND UPRIGHTAND TILTED FORWARDL, AND HANDLE MEANS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE PACKAGEACROSS THE JOINED HALVES FOR CARRYING THE COMPLETED PACKAGE.